Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Audi Q7: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Audi Q7. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cylGas | AWD | 21 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylHybrid | AWD | 18 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Audi Q7, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden loss of all electrical power while driving is the main pattern. An electrical malfunction warning appears, sometimes turning from yellow to red. Systems then drop out one by one until the engine shuts off and will not restart, often at highway speeds. Reports describe lost brakes, steering, and lights, and no way to shift into neutral. Reported mileages run 50,100 to 70,000, and alternator replacement comes up more than once. One dealer reportedly called it a known issue with long parts waits. One fire-related complaint involves a burned wiring harness that later smoked. Others mention false forward collision warnings.
Coolant leaks and water pump failures make up most reports. Owners describe replacing the water pump, vacuum lines, and coolant reservoir as early as 41k miles, with repair bills over $3,000 and as high as $6,000. Complaints tie the problem to the 3.0L turbocharged V6 and cite a class action over water pumps. They warn that ignoring a leak risks overheating, power loss, and engine damage. One separate report describes a turbocharger failure at approximately 30,000 miles.
Highway-speed electrical failure blamed on the Belt Starter Generator also shows up here. In that report, later oil consumption and engine noise led to engine failure that went undiagnosed. Another complaint describes a dangerous stall caused by a failed central control module, which the owner blames on water getting in. A third involves a rear differential failure at approximately 6,200 miles. The car made a noise from the rear passenger side, could not go faster than 20 mph, and had to be towed. Each problem comes from a single report.
Excerpts from complaints Q7 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
While driving, Forward Collision Warning appears without any reason. My understanding is that the car will brake itself if it senses frontal collosion and I am concerned that it might brake suddenly without my knowledge and cause an accident.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Emergency battery light came on with a description of power malfunction. The light went from yellow to red then shortly stopped in the road while driving with complete power outage.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
I’m having to replace my REPLACE WATER PUMP AND VACUUM LINES WITH RESERVOIR at 41k miles or it risk overheating the engine. It is a significant repair at a premature time. After researching, it has been reported there are historical issues with this and faulty parts.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2025
I discovered this item while researching another issue. There was a class action law suit against VW/Audi for the Water Pump and coolant leaking into the system. The class action covered the year and model for my Audi (2020 Q7) but my VIN was not included. The class action ended in 2024. On 8/4/25, My water pump went out because of coolant going into system. A $6,000 repair. I brought the issue up with Audi. No response.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
Central control module failure. Item is under recall for various Q5 models. Q7 is essentially the same car with same water intrusion problem. Why isn’t it included in recall. Very dangerous stall.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 7 Q7 years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 Q7 vehicles. Incompatibility between the front camera control software and the heating element used for the front camera on the windshield may cause the heating element to overheat.
Risk: An overheated heating element can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the control software and replace the heater element for the front camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90N7.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
Cars shoppers compare with the Audi Q7, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
